President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday paid tribute to the nation and the armed forces on the completion of one year of “Marka-e-Haq,” describing it as a symbol of national unity, military professionalism and strategic resolve.

Marka-e-Haq is the official name given to the broader conflict with India that began after the Pahalgam incident on April 22, 2025, and ended with the ceasefire on May 10, 2025, resulting in a convincing victory for Pakistan.

In his message, President Zardari credited Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his leadership, strategy and “courageous decisions,” calling them key factors behind the success of the operation.

He also praised Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and the Pakistan Air Force for what he described as exceptional professionalism and operational capability during the conflict.

The president also commended Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the Pakistan Navy for maintaining full operational preparedness and strengthening national security.

President Zardari said Pakistan was a responsible and peace-loving state that had delivered a “firm yet balanced” response to aggression while demonstrating its defence capability to the world.

He reiterated Pakistan’s position that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should be resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions and said Pakistan would continue its moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people.

The president also criticised India’s attempts to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it “water terrorism” and stressing that water was a matter of survival for millions of Pakistanis.

Referring to regional security, President Zardari urged Afghanistan to ensure its territory was not used for terrorism against Pakistan or other regional states. He said eliminating externally backed terrorism was essential for lasting peace in the region.

The president said the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir had helped Pakistan emerge as a symbol of regional balance and stability.

He also said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Iran-US conflict had received international recognition.